Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Fossils

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 1hrs 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When the last of its kind dies, a species is _________________.

a)

endangered

b)

extinct

c)

fossil

d)

cast

2.

The remains or traces of a plant or animal that lived long ago is a _____________________.

a)

fossil

b)

mass extinction

c)

mold

d)

cast

3.

An event that results in the dying off of many species is called _______________________________

a)

threatened species

b)

index fossils

c)

molds

d)

mass extinction

4.

An impression of an organism, formed when sediment hardens around the organism is called a _________________________.

a)

cast

b)

mold

c)

fossil

5.

A model of an organism, formed when sediment fills a mold and hardens, is a

a)

cast

b)

mold

c)

fossil

6.

A fossil is a type of organism that lived in many places during a relatively short time span is called a(n) ____________________________.

a)

trace fossil

b)

extinct

c)

index fossil

d)

mold

7.

Not every animal or plant becomes a fossil when it dies. Which event BEST helps a fossil form?

a)

Water washes away dirt

b)

Animals eat the soft tissues

c)

Wind blows the dead organism away

d)

Sediment quickly buries the dead organism

8.

Josh read about a land animal whose fossils were found in similar rock layers in Africa and South America. What can he conclude from his discovery?

a)

Animal fossils all look alike.

b)

The landmasses were once joined.

c)

The animals swam across the ocean.

d)

The fossils formed in an ocean and washed ashore.

9.

Malaya is collecting fossils. She found one whose original material had been replaced by quartz. What type of fossil did she find?

a)

trace fossil

b)

carbon film

c)

petrified wood

d)

mummified body

10.

Suppose you found fossils of sharks and other fish in a nearby forest. What could you infer about the area from these discoveries?

a)

The area was once a desert.

b)

The area was once an ocean.

c)

The area was once a forest.

d)

The area was once an ice field.

11.

Dinosaurs lived in parts of the US over 70 million years ago. What most likely caused the dinosaurs to become extinct?

a)

The environment changed.

b)

The food became poisonous

c)

The number of plants increased.

d)

The number of competitors increased.

12.

Come dinosaur fossils have body parts that look like wings. What might you conclude about these animals, based on the fossil evidence?

a)

These dinosaurs could fly.

b)

These dinosaurs lived in the ocean.

c)

These dinosaurs ate plants.

d)

These dinosaurs were tiny.

13.

What is a "living fossil"?

a)

a fossil that is easily identified

b)

an organism that is at least 100 years old

c)

a fossil that is well known in the scientific community

d)

a living organism that looks similar to its ancient ancestors

14.

Study the rock layers in the diagram. Which rock layer is probably the oldest?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

15.

Which life forms were common during the Mesozoic Era?

a)

dinosaurs

b)

mammoths

c)

tree ferns

d)

trilobites